Welcome to the Underwater Photography Guide. This online book and magazine is a complete underwater photography tutorial full of u/w photography tips and techniques. Our idea is simple - learn, shoot, explore. We hope you enjoy and come back often - Scott Gietler, Owner of UWPG and Bluewater Photo & Travel.

Underwater Digital Cameras

Review of the best Compact, dSLR & Mirrorless cameras for underwater photography

Choosing the best underwater digital camera can be difficult, even with an underwater camera guide. The digital revolution opened up a brave new world for underwater photographers. Underwater digital cameras allow us to immediately see the results of our photos, and share them with our friends when we get home. Very few users of film have tried an underwater digital camera and not switched.

Compacts vs. dSLR Cameras for Underwater Photography

After shooting with a compact underwater camera, many people consider switching to a mirrorless or a dSLR. The obvious advantages are lens choices with superior optics and different focal lengths, better image quality from a larger sensor and reduced shutter lag and focus delays. These are huge advantages, and shooting with a dSLR is quite a joy. Very few people regret changing. However, a compact camera in the right hands can sometimes take shots that rival a dSLR shot, and the dSLR advantages of shutter lag and focus delay can be less important with non-moving subjects.

The largest difference between a compact camera and a dSLR or mirrorless camera is that a dSLR or mirrorless can take different lenses, while a compact camera has one attached lens. This is a very big difference that limits the flexibility of a compact camera, although wet lenses can help bridge this distance to some extent.

Compact underwater camera disadvantages:

Increased shutter delay and focus delay over a dSLR - this is the biggest complain of many people

Optics are a lesser quality

Less choices for good quality lenses

Only a couple models can shoot in raw and use a true fisheye lens

Very slow raw write speeds, if raw is offered - although this has improved in a couple recent models

Less battery life

Noisy at high ISO's, although high ISO has limited use underwater, so this is not a big factor.

Less control over depth of field. A larger-sensor dSLR will have a smaller depth of field at a large aperture, giving a blurred background that is difficult to accomplish with a compact camera.

For more information on how compacts differ from dSLR's underwater, and how to use your compact camera underwater, read about using compact cameras underwater.

What to look for in a compact underwater digital camera:

Full manual mode available - I think this is very important

Good quality UW housing available

Close macro mode, although this is less important if you are going to use wet lenses

Ability to take wet lenses, macro & wide angle

Ability to take a fisheye lens. This can be important for people who want to shoot wide angle, because really great WA photos means getting really close, and the best way to do that is with the UWL-04 fisheye lens. Not many cameras, however, support full manual mode and accept a fisheye wet lens.

Low shutter lag

Long battery life

Ability to view histogram

Ability to manual white balance

Raw mode. This is only important if you plan on shooting in RAW, it's nice to have this, but not everyone will shoot in raw. And if you don't have the right settings and the right lens, then having RAW won't matter anyways.

Ability to fire strobes via sync cord. This is helpful because some otherwise you must use the camera's pop-up flash, which can be slow to recycle and use up battery time. However, sync cords can be a pain, so if you can find a fiber-optic solution that has decent battery life, and a decent recycle time on the internal flash, this is the way to go .

Good auto focus capability. Some cameras are very slow to focus in less than ideal conditions, which is what we often experience underwater. All compacts come up short in this category usually.

It should be easy to adjust the aperture and shutter speed UW. Some housings make it very difficult to use the full manual controls

Is full manual mode important in a compact camera?

Anyone considering purchasing an external strobe at some point, should get a camera with full manual controls, imho.

Most of the time, but especially when using an external strobe, it is very helpful to have complete control over how much ambient light comes into the camera. Although exposure compensation can be used to accomplish this to a limited degree, setting the shutter speed and aperture yourself is the best way to control the ambient light.

The Canon S95, Olympus XZ-1, Canon S95 are also good choices. The Canon S100, Canon S110 or S120 are also excellent choices, similar to the S95 - although I like the Canon S95 because it doesn't vignette with a fisheye lens. FYI, the Canon G-series and Sony RX-100 series have both taken some of the best compact camera photos that I've ever seen. The new Canon G16 performs great for macro, but the Sony RX-100 and new Sony RX-100 II set a new standard for compact cameras for wide-angle with their large sensors and amazing wet lens results. (Not the Sony RX-100 III or RX-100 IV, find out why in our Sony RX-100 III review).

If you need to look at older used setups, the Canon A570, Canon G9/G10/G11 and Olympus SP350 are all good choices - but recent models will perform much better.

If budget is a serious consideration, the Sealife DC1400 offers a good housing for the beginner underwater photographer, and to add a strobe is inexpensive.

All compacts involve tradeoffs. If you just want to take snapshots underwater, well then there are dozens of cameras that will all produce similar results. Most of the Fuji, Canon or Olympus cameras will be excellent choices. The cameras I list below are the best ones I feel for underwater photography, especially if you ever want to grow past taking a few snapshots.

Here is a look at some choices, and their limitations.

Compact Camera Details

Here's some quick notes on some camera models, listed in alphabetical order. If the camera you are looking at is not on this list or the chart below, it is probably because I think there is a better option listed. This is especially true of the dozen's of Canon models.

Canon A570 - Great choice overall, at a great price point. The strobe can't be fired by sync cable; raw allowed by software update only; decent battery life. Takes a fisheye lens, and macro lenses.

The Canon A570 will do raw, with a software download called the “raw hack”. This software update has been used my many people successfully, does not cause problems, and adds many other useful features. See this site for more details.

Image quality is excellent. The camera will work well with INON fisheye and macro lenses. full manual model is available.

Canon A620, Canon A710is, Canon A720 - All are great little compact cameras, a couple years old but they take great photos, have full manual controls and great macro modes. They are great when combined with a wet wide-angle lens. Try to get the used camera + used housing at a bargain price. Almost as good as the Canon A570, but these won't take the Inon Fisheye lens

Canon SD990 / IXUS 980 - I just found out about this camera in early 2009. It was released at the end of 2008. It's an ultra-compact, full manual controls, 14.7meg, and it takes an INON fisheye lens with the canon housing. Top-side reviews are great. There is no raw support or raw hack at this moment. Lens is 36-133mm. This camera might turn out to be a top underwater choice, but I have some more investigation to do. I've heard setting the aperture / shutter speed can be a little difficult. The image quality looks excellent based on the underwater images I've seen. My friend is producing some great wide-angle photos with the fisheye lens. $310 in the USA.

Canon S90 & S95 - Released in Aug 2009 & Sep 2010, these are great cameras for topside and underwater use. They are small, and have RAW, full manual controls, and a fast F2.0 lens. All housings will take add-on lenses. I tried this camera out topside recently, it was easy to use, photos looked great and I loved the large LCD. Has great potential. Housings are out from Canon, Ikelite, and Recsea. Read my writeup on the camera and the different Canon S90 underwater housings. The Canon S95 adds HD video to the Canon S90. The S95 is smaller than the Canon G12, has the same sensor, and has more wet lens options for wide-angle. But the G12 beats it in some areas.

Canon S100 - Very similar specs to the excellent Canon S95, has a slightly longer zoom range, which means you may have slightly better macro capability with a wet lens, and slightly more vignetting with wide-angle wet lenses. The Canon S110 is similar to the S100, but it adds wi-fi and takes away GPS.

Canon G10 – shoots at 28mm; Canon, Ikelite, Patima and Fisheye (FIX) all make housings for the G10, some of which may support a WA lens. The fisheye housing is $999, at the high-end for a compact camera. Same TTL limitations as the Canon G9. The G10 is generally considered the best topside compact camera out there, but it has limitations underwater, depending on the housing. Read my Canon G10 underwater housing reviews.

Canon G11 / G12 - released in Aug 2009 & Jan 2011, and similar to Canon G10. 10 megapixel sensor means larger pixel size than the G10, which is probably a good thing. Housings are out from Canon, Ikelite, Fisheye, and Recsea. The Canon G12 is very similar, and adds HD video and a control dial. The macro on the Canon G11 & G12 is superb. The G12 is a top of the line compact camera, and does everything a little bit better than all the other compacts, including the S95.

Canon G1X - released in March 2012. You can read the Canon G1X review, which talks about the less than ideal macro capability of the lens on this camera.

Canon G15 - Slightly fast focusing than the Canon G12, read our Canon G15 mini-review. The Canon G16 just came out, and is similar to the Canon G15.

Fuji F60 + ikelite housing - still waiting for more details on this setup. no raw mode

Fuji F200EXR - looks like a nice camera, no raw, but full manual controls (although only 2 aperture settings), and a good-quality fuji housing is available. A great point and shoot choice. Camera+ housing available for $440 (July 2009).

Nikon P6000 – shoots raw, manual controls, TTL with Ikelite housing.. not rated as good as a Canon or the LX3 though. The consensus is get a Canon g9 or g10 instead.

Oly 5050/5060 - very old camera, but excellent optics and capabilities; some pros believe this was the best compact camera for UW photography ever made. I have to warn you though, it has a long focus/shutter delay compared to recent compacts; no fisheye capability, but takes a WA lens. The oly 5050 has a much better lens. The best photos I've ever seen from compacts are from an Oly 5050. The prints look spectacular.

Olympus SP350 – good choice - shoots raw, but very slow. long lag between shots. Must go through menu to switch to macro mode. short battery life. Good photo quality. takes fisheye and macro lenses

Olympus 1030 SW, 1030SW - no manual controls, no manual white balance, no raw. Internal flash can't be used in super macro mode. good points are that it's waterproof to 33ft. Not a great choice. Could be good for snorkeling, kayaking, etc. without a housing.

Olympus XZ-1 & XZ-2 - read our complete Olympux XZ-1 review. The camera is great, will RAW, full manual controls, HD video with auto-focus, and an excellent lens. The XZ-2 is similar to the XZ-1.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 & LX5 – shoots Raw; widest compact at 24mm, has full manual controls. Considered a top-quality compact. $399 new. The housings are by 10bar or UK-Germany. Strobes can fire via sync cord or fiber optics. I've seen great wide-angle photos with the INON UWL-100 wet lens and the INON dome port (giving you a 130 degree field of view), in the 10-bar housing. Also with the INON macro lenses. This camera has great potential, and Edvin Eng is producing some great photography with this setup. See my Panasonic Lumix LX3 10bar underwater housing review.

Sea &Sea DX-1G – I don't think the earlier or less expensive S&S compacts were very good, but many people now like the DX-1G. the DX-1G uses a Ricoh GX100 inside; low focus/shutter lag, raw mode, very close macro focus, full manual; wider than most compacts at 24mm; competitor to the Canon G9/G10; cons - fiber optic only, and it only takes S&S wet lenses. there is no fisheye option.

Sea &Sea DX-2G - came out in April 2009. Similar to the DX-1G, uses a Ricoh GX200 inside. It is believed that the GX200 will not work inside the DX-1G housing. The time in between shots when shooting RAW has been improved great, and it has a larger LCD screen. Read our Sea & Sea DX-2G review.

Sealife – often sold by dive shops, always sold as a camera/housing combination.

Here is a good review comparing the canon g10, Nikon p6000, and Panasonic lumix lx3. It’s a topside review, but still useful I believe.

Prices are approximate only looking on ebay, google stores, or pricegrabber. Prices are for a reference point only. Prices may be for a refurbished camera for an older model. Prices from “questionable” sellers were not included.

(1) Very subjective answers based on speaking with people. Make sure you use highly rated 2700mAH rechargable double-A batteries like MAHA.

(2) YES means it takes just a regular WA lens; Fisheye means it will also take a fisheye lens; maximum field of view is shown if known. You may need a wide-angle lens and a dome port to get maximum angle of coverage.

(3) Adding a WA lens to the canon G12/G15/G16 can be a little difficult, because of the way the camera and housings are made. Check with your housing manufacturer to see what is supported at this time. For $275, you can get an Ikelite or Fantasea dome port that gives you only 28mm of WA coverage. Recsea also offers a seperate WA port and fisheye lens with port for a 130 degree view for more money.

(5) Ikelite and canon housings don’t allow WA lenses at this time other than the dome mentioned in (3), check with your housing manufacturer to see if this changes. A dyron 67mm adapter can be added to add macro lenses

(6) TTL with an ike housing doesn’t work in manual mode

(7) Most compacts have problems focusing in low light

(8) Ricoh GX100 inside

(9) Ricoh GX200 inside

(10) Battery life is extended when using strobes like Inon that "quench" the internal flash of the E900 by emitiing a pre-flash

Mirrorless (Micro Four Thirds) Cameras

Choosing a mirrorless camera can be tough - there are many excellent models out there, with only small differences between them. Our two top choices are the Olympus E-M1 and the Panasonic GH4, with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 iI and the Panasonic GX8 very close second choices.

The Olympus E-PL3, E-PL5, E-PM1, OM-D EM-5, OM-D E-M10 and Panasonic GF2, GX1 and GX7 are good choices for underwater photography. They are a great choice in-between a compact and a dSLR. You can read more in our micro-four thirds and mirrorless camera guide.

The Olympus E-PL5, E-PL7 and E-PM1 are recent models, and have improved auto-focus speed over the E-PL1 and E-PL2. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 and E-M5 both came out not too long ag, and are considered two of the best micro-four thirds camera on the market. The Olympus E-PL5 has the same sensor and image processor as the OM-D E-M5, and is an excellent value.

The new Olympus OM-D E-M1 is a little bigger than the E-M5, and a little more expensive. Image quality is similar to the E-M5, but build quality is better and auto-focus is a little faster.

Sony NEX cameras

The Sony A6000, A5100, A5000, NEX 5-N, 5R/5T, NEX 6 and NEX 7 are excellent mirrorless cameras, with great image quality, and unsurpassed video capability. The sensor size is the same as a Nikon D300 or Nikon D7100, and they have their own lens mount called Sony e-mount.

Image quality, dynamic range and focus speed is excellent. The only downside is a less limited lens selection than micro-four thirds cameras, and slightly slower focusing speed than a dSLR. But the cameras and housings are much smaller than a dSLR. The fisheye and macro lens options are good quality and very inexpensive, although a longer macro lens choice is lacking.

Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras

The new Sony A7 is a new small, full-frame mirrorless camera that can take exceptional images. Although lens selection used to be limited, you can read about new Sony A7 full-frame lenses that are came out in 2015, that will definitely change the landscape for this option. The A7 II series improved on the less than stellar auto-focus of the A7 cameras, making the A7 II and A7r II two of the top choices for underwater photographers. A full-frame sensor, plenty of megapixels, a full range of lens choices, a small size and professional video capability make the A7 II cameras an increasingly popular choice - but don't expect the battery life or responsiveness to be at the level of a high-end dSLR.

dSLR Underwater Camera Choices

There are a large number of dSLR camera bodies out there. The main 2 brands used in UW photography are Nikon & Canon. Whichever brand you choose, make sure you are happy with the lens selection that brand supports. Sony and Fuji also make great dSLRs, but those are not yet covered here.

A good lens, proper composition, and proper lighting are important for making great photos. The camera body is less important, and excellent shots can be made with Canon or Nikon bodies. Your photography is unlikely to improve dramatically just by switching camera bodies.

If you choose Canon or Nikon, you will also have to choose between cropped sensor or full frame sensor cameras.

Cropped-sensor vs Full-frame

Cropped sensor dSLR's are the most popular dSLR's underwater. So who shoots full frame? Generally people who already own a full-frame camera (for indoor sports, weddings, and landscape photography), and want to house it, or pros that have specific shots in mind with a wide-angle lens, often of sharks, dolphins or other pelagics. Professionals who have a requirement to print larger than 20x30 at 300DPI also must sometimes shoot full frame to get the required resolution.

Why did I get a Nikon D7100? I shoot a lot of telephoto and wildlife photos topside, so the low-noise and fast frame rate of the D300 was perfect for my topside use. The increased dynamic range will help my WA shots “pop” like those Canon full-frame shots, and the Nikon 60mm and 105mm VR lens are excellent macro lens. But I must say, after shooting with a Nikon D810 on several trips, having 36 megapixels is truly amazing - and you should definitely consider that camera if you can afford it. Read out full Nikon D810 review here

Crop-sensors advantages

- Generally considered better for macro, especially for super-macro

- Approximately 60% more depth of field than a full-frame sensor, given an equivalent field of view

- Able to use the flexible Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens to its full benefit

- slightly better IQ and dynamic range for more "pop" in WA and pelagic photos

- the women go crazy over full-frame cameras

- better viewfinders

- potential for higher resolution if you really need it, especially with the Nikon D800 or Nikon D810

Full-frame cons

Housings are generally a little more expensive

less depth of field at the same aperture and field of view. You need 1.5 stops smaller aperture for equivalent depth of field in a full-frame camera

Technique, lenses and dome optics all must be top-notch to take advantage of any increase in resolution

More difficult to get good corner sharpeness with rectilinear wide-angle lenses

New or used camera?

Used cameras are fine; just make sure you check the shutter count. Mechanical shutters will eventually fail. The shutter count is also referred to as the number of actuations.

Checking actuations

If you're buying used, and your camera uses a mechanical shutter (e.g. - D90,D7100) - check the number of actuations (shutter clicks) by getting a jpeg file from the camera and using an exif viewer. You can't check on the camera, so you'll need to bring your laptop and a card reader if you're meeting someone to buy a used camera. Look for "shutter count" or " camera actuations"

You can get one for the Macintosh here: http://homepage.mac.com/aozer/EV/index.html

And for the PC here: http://www.opanda.com/en/iexif/index.html

Camera bodies can be further researched here. I personally wouldn't get too hung up about small differences in sensor quality reviews.

Sensor quality reviews:

Cropped sensor dLSR cameras:

Nikon D5000 - annouced on April 14th, 12megapixel, hi-def video, same sensor as the D90. It lacks an auto-focus motor. Too bad is doesn't autofocus with 3 of my 4 favorite lenses, just like the D60 and D40. Retail is $730. I'd pass on it, and get a D80/D90 unless you are ok not using a fisheye lens underwater. The nikon 10.5mm and tokina 10-17mm fisheyes won't auto-focus with this camera. I tried out a Nikon d60 once and did not like it at all. If price is an issue go with a used D80/D200 instead.

Nikon D3000 - no auto-focus motor, I'd pass

Nikon D40 or Nikon D60 - No autofocus motor - please see comments on the Nikon D5000 above. very good image quality though. btw, The nikon d40, d40x and d60 can all work in the same housing.

Nikon D300 – Excellent camera and photos. But it’s hard to tell the difference between D80/D200 photos and D300 photos taken underwater. I upgrades to this from the D80 so my wildlife photography could benefit from 1 stop higher ISO.

Nikon D300s - same as D300 + video. Great housing from Sea & Sea.

Nikon D7000 - great choice, brand new with HD video that can auto-focus. Hybrid body between a D90 and D300s. Our top choice for a dSLR camera for underwater use.

Nikon D7200 - very similar to the Nikon D7100, with improved dynamic range

Nikon D90 – excellent choice. Sensor rating is even better than the D300. And it does video! Many people are able to use their D90 in a D80 housing, with some slight housing modifications. Nexus and Aquatica housings are popular, and here's a Nauticam D90 underwater housing review.

Nikon D80 – Great camera, great photos. Practically the same sensor as the D200, so you’ll get the same image quality. Get a used housing at a discount.

Nikon D200 – Great camera, great photos. Get a used housing at a discount.

Canon 40d/50d/60d – the Canon 50d fits into the canon 40d housings. A nice surprise for canon 40d owners! Both are excellent choices, especially the Canon 50D. Instead of the Canon 60D, I'd go with a Canon 7d.

Canon 7d - Very good camera, housing are out from Aquatica, Ikelite, Nauticam, Sea & Sea

Canon T2i, T3i, T4i, T5i - excellent entry-level dSLRs. Some of the aluminum housings are great values for these cameras. The T3i is very similar to the T2i, see the T3i release coverage for differences. The T4i and T5i both made improvements in the video capability, and the T4i and T5i both fit into the same housings.

Olympus E520 – great value; good lens choices at a decent price; housing is a good value too.

Olympus E330 – It might be the only dSLR with useable Live view underwater; some users say the auto-focus is a little slow and has some low light issues

Full frame dSLR cameras:

The new Nikon D800 is my top choice for the ultimate pro underwater photographer camera. The NIkon D4 is also great, but a little overkill for underwater photography.

Nikon D3, Nikon D4 – Excellent camera, but Keep in mind people have been having problems getting the 14-24mm lens sharp behind a dome port. And there is no full-frame equivalent of the Tokina 10-17mm lens.

Into wide-angle? Canon 5d mark III & Canon 5Ds R take some excellent wide-angle shots (but so do the rest).

Really interested in live view underwater, or great image quality in a smaller package? Look into the Sony A7 II, Sony A5100 or A6000, or the Olympus OM-D E-M1 or E-M10. The Panasonic GH4 / GX8 and Sony A7 II cameras take the best video.

Looking for the most compact setup with a larger sensor? Look at a mirrorless camera setup.

What's the hottest bodies out there right now for underwater use? Look at the Nikon D7200 or a Canon 5D Mark III, or a Nikon D810, Sony A7r II or the Olympus OM-D E-M1.

Sync Speed and underwater photography

The faster the sync speed, the easier it will be to light up subjects with your strobe with the sun in the background. With a slower sync speed, you need a small aperture to properly expose the sun, and therefore even stronger strobes.

Some of the dSLR Camera Choices:

Crop factor

Megapixels

Year released

Sync speed

Video?

Canon 20d

1.6

8

2004

1/250th

Canon 40d

1.6

10

2007

1/250th

Canon 50d

1.6

15

2008

1/250th

Canon 70d

1.6

20

2013

1/250th

Yes

Canon 7d

1.6

18

2009

1/250th

Yes

Canon 5d

1.0

13

2005

1/200th

Canon 5D Mark II

1.0

21

2009

1/200th

Yes

Canon 5D Mark III

1.0

22

2012

1/200th

Yes

Canon EOS 1D mark II

1.3

8

2004

1/250th

Canon EOS 1D mark III

1.3

10

2007

1/250th

Canon EOS 1Ds mark III

1.0

21

2007

1/250th

Canon rebel XTI (400D)

1.6

10

2006

1/200th

Canon rebel T1I (500D)

1.6

15

2009

1/200th

Yes

Canon rebel T2I (550D)

1.6

18

2010

1/200th

Yes

Canon rebel T3I (600D)

1.6

18

2011

1/200th

Yes

Canon rebel T4I (650D)

1.6

18

2012

1/200th

Yes

Canon rebel T5I (700D)

1.6

18

2013

1/200th

Yes

Nikon d100

1.5

6

2002

1/180th

Nikon d200

1.5

10

2005

1/250th

Nikon d3

1

12

2007

1/250th

Nikon d300

1.5

12

2007

1/320th

Nikon D7000

1.5

16

2010

1/320th

Yes

Nikon D7100

1.5

24

2013

1/320th

Yes

Nikon d40

1.5

6

2006

1/500th

Nikon d60

1.5

10

2008

1/200th

Nikon d70S

1.5

6

2005

1/500th

Nikon d700

1.0

12

2008

1/250th

Nikon D800

1.0

35

2012

1/250th

Yes

Nikon D80

1.5

10

2006

1/200th

Nikon D90

1.5

12

2008

1/200th

Yes

Oly 330

2.0

8

2006

1/180th

Oly 410

2.0

10

2007

1/180th

Oly 520

2.0

10

2008

1/180th

Oly 620

2.0

12

2009

1/180th

Oly E3

2.0

10

2007

1/250th

Taking underwater video with a dSLR

The Nikon D90, D5000, D7000, D7100, D7200, D800, D810, D4, Canon 7D, 70D, 7D Mark II, Canon T2i, Canon T3i, T4i, T5i, and the Canon 5dII & 5dIII can shoot hi-def video, although auto-focus can be slow, and there are other limitations. Although this feature is not ready to replace dedicated video cameras, this is great for capturing behavior and marine life videos that you couldn’t normally have taken, and works very well when shooting ultra-wide angle. However, the auto-focus on the Canon 70D & 7D Mark II during video is quite good.

The Nikon D7100 & D7200 can take HD video, and also auto-focus while taking video - but the autofocus does not work that well. For the best video underwater you may want to look at a mirrorless camera like the Panasonic GH4, GX8 or the Sony A6000 or A7 II.

The Sony NEX cameras can autofocus during video much better than dSLRs can, and the video quality is excellent. Same with the Panasonic GH3 & GH4. Most people who want to do serious underwater video will get a Panasonic GH3/GH4, Sony NEX-7/A6000, or a Canon 5D Mark III / Canon 70D.

Comments

Hello,
I have a G12 and Inon D 2000 strobe;good-even very good ones can be made with this set,but...it has its limitations,among others,for good macro/supermacro (Unfortunately I discoverd Lembeh and am just totally bewitched by criTters)Hence,the temptation to upgrade is very strong;what could i buy for a reasonable budget for that purpose?I can figure out a Canon SLR with a macrolenses+housing and decent strobes.I am happy to pay the right price-but not at a medium sized car tag!
Can anyone help a (in hte future poorer) diver?
Thanks in advance

I am very new into underwater photography and I own a DLSR already .
Sony DLSR A550.
The problem I have it eh Housing , BS kineticks that costs arrount 1900 Euro for a normal Port .

Pictures above water of the Sony A550 are Excellent , I am not sure how my camera will do underwater . If it wont give great pics , maybe I should switch to any of the above mentioned, Cannon or Nikon before buying the CAse for the A550 .

Used a Canon S60 for several years, as a professional diver, brilliant piece of kit, leave it on auto, then use photoshop 9 to auto correct,top notch results, even had pics in paper from it!! Now use Canon EOS550, equally good. and love my new A2 Epson printer, what a toy, beets buying wallpaper!!!

I'm an enthusiastic, albeit not very good photographer. Above sea level I use a Panasonic Lumix FZ28 and wanted something similar underwater. However, after using an Intova LC800 on a Digital Underwater Photography course I bought one! So far I am very happy with the images it (I) can take, and it was much better value than other models. I think that the usefulness of a particular camera really comes down to the skill of the photographer. The most expensive camera you can get won't necessarily take better pictures unless you understand the basics of composition.

The problem with the S90 and all of the compact Canon cameras is that it will not support TTL when you use the manual controls. This is not a fatal limitation, but for many who want to shoot on full manual (especially for macro), the loss of TTL reduces the odds of getting that great exposure for every photo.

thanks for your input Marcelo. I really don't see a difference, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. the d300 does have a slightly larger dynamic range, which could show up as small difference in a photo with the sun in it, but I think camera settings and conditions make a larger difference.

Do you have guidance on the depth of field of the fisheye. if I were to use it in manual focus mode, and "effectively" pre-focus it at close up , or infinity before I went under water -- what would be the depth of field.

I have the D5000, and buying lenses. I love it for land use, but haven't bought a housing yet. ( still waiting). But I'm beginning to wonder if I should have bought the D90 for the AF underwater on more lenses.

CONFUSION!!!
Dear Scott , I would like to thank you for this useful reviews
you give about uw photography, so far it is definetely the best site i saw around. I still use a compact for my uw photos but would really love to get an housing for my new toy!!! The Nikon d 5000
had a bit of a shock learning from your review about the limited possibilities with fisheye lenses. My question is what about using the Nikkor 10-24mm AF -S Dx instead ?????
Thank you very much for your help
Keep up the good work.
Ado